The First Time I Heard...
The First Time I Heard...
Toya Haynes
The First Time I Heard is host and self proclaimed music nerd Toya Haynes’ love letter to music. On each episode she and her guest will talk about the first time they heard one of their favorite artists. They discuss milestones in the artist’s career and how their music has affected them as well as the songs that make up the soundtrack of their lives.
Episode 17: The First Time I Heard… Kashif
In the final episode of Season 2, host Toya Haynes is joined by guest Shameika Rhymes of the show Check the Rhymes joins to talk about the first time they heard the musical virtuoso Kashif.
Dec 20, 2021
32 min
Episode 16: The First Time I Heard... New Edition
Host Toya Haynes is joined by Len Webb and Vincent Williams of the movie review podcast The Micheaux Mission to talk about the first time they heard her favorite group New Edition. 
Jun 21, 2021
1 hr 40 min
Episode 15: The First Time I Heard... Gladys Knight
Host Toya Haynes is joined by singer and American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle to discuss the first time they heard the incomparable Gladys Knight.
Mar 22, 2021
1 hr 25 min
Episode 10: The First Time I Heard... Green Day
In this episode of The First Time I Heard, my guest, radio show host Ryan Chitty, and I talk about the first time we heard the band Green Day. We also talk about his radio show Bullying the Jukebox and his plans to open The Punk Rock Museum.
May 21, 2020
1 hr 8 min
Episode 8: The First Time I Heard... The Temptations
I’m joined by R&B singer and podcast host Kyle Maack to talk about the first time we heard the legendary, and arguably best to ever do it as vocal groups go, The Temptations. Kyle has a pretty unique story to share: he went from becoming completely captivated when he heard The Temptations for the first time at 11 years old to later being signed to original Temptations member Otis Williams’ label.
Dec 16, 2019
1 hr 2 min
Episode 6: The First Time I Heard... Musiq Soulchild
This episode was recorded live at the Respect: Women’s Podcast Festival at Amalgam Comics and Coffeehouse in Philadelphia, PA. My guest, R&B singer, Beano French and I talk about the first time we heard soul singer Musiq Soulchild. A special thanks to the Respect: Women’s Podcast Festival for letting me be a part of this great event and to my DJ, DJ Dommis for providing the tunes in between to make this show really come to life.
Sep 2, 2019
41 min
Episode 5: The First Time I Heard... Tevin Campbell
My guest, television host, producer and writer Torrence Glenn and I talk about the first time we heard R&B soul singer Tevin Campbell. In this episode, Torrence, a self described “Tevin Campbell Stan”, and I talk about Campbell’s incredible vocal ability that grabbed us at the first listen, what we hope to hear from him soon, and what parts of his catalog should not go overlooked. We also talk about Torrence’s work as a producer on the newest season of BET’s Sunday Best.
Jul 27, 2019
1 hr 29 min
Episode 3: The First Time I Heard... Luther Vandross
I welcome guest Craig Seymour, author of the book Luther: The Life and Longing of Luther Vandross, to discuss the first time we heard my favorite singer of all time, Luther Vandross. In this very special episode released on the 14th anniversary of his death, we talk about his rise from being a very much in demand background singer to becoming one of the most important artist of our time. I’d like to dedicate this episode to my first concert buddy and favorite person to talk about music with, my dearly departed father and favorite friend Leonard Glenn Haynes.
Jul 1, 2019
1 hr 14 min
Episode 2: The First Time I Heard... Kenny Loggins
If you hear the name Kenny Loggins and automatically think of "Footloose", you may be surprised by what else in his catalog of music which spans over 45 years. Grammy-Award winning producer Alvin Love III (CeCe Winans, Mary Mary, The New Respects) and I talk about the first time we heard Kenny Loggins and why there is a particular and very soulful era of his career that made us fall in love with his music.  We also talk about what inspires Alvin musically and what it was like to produce an award winning album for his mother, gospel music legend CeCe Winans.  Read less
Apr 23, 2019
35 min
Episode 1: The First Time I Heard... Brian McKnight
Do you remember the first time you heard Brian McKnight? My guest, author Melissa Watkins, and I reminisce about the first time we heard his music and discuss his career. We also talk about her book Jack and Ahlia and how her love of music influenced her creative process.
Apr 14, 2019
40 min